First Time Cruise Ever - Star to Antarctica

[RioRabbit]

Hi all

 

my wife and I will be taking our first cruise ever this January. We'll be on the Star Princess, round trip from Buenos Aires. Since we have never set foot on a ship before, we are hoping to learn something from the experts here. :)

 

For instance: we are thinking about getting an external cabin with no balcony. Would you think the cabins with a balcony are worth the extra money?

 

Is there a better deck? A quieter one? We don't mind walking distances if it means we will be on a quiet part of the ship.

 

How early do we have to be at the port for embarkation? The ship leaves at 5pm, does it mean we have to be there at noon or something?

 

Any other tips for a first time cruiser? We really appreciate your thoughts, and if anyone else from here is going on this cruise as well we'd be happy to meet you on board.

 

thanks!

[WeBeGone]

The first thing to do is read all of this thread:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=214933

 

Next, read the Roll Call:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471754

 

You'll get lots of help on this board - WELCOME!

[Pam in CA]

A few tips:

 

Buenos Aires is one of the most congested, ill-prepared ports for embarkation. There are lines out the terminal, around the bus unloading area, down the very narrow sidewalk for several blocks. It can literally take hours to check in. I heard some people say it took them 3 - 4 hours.

 

* one of the best deals is to take a Princess excursion/tour of Buenos Aires which ends at the pier. We did this and our driver kept in touch with the Princess reps in the terminal as to how bad the delays were, etc. When we finally got to the bus unloading area, he got us together and led us into the terminal past literally hundreds of people.

 

* book an outside without the balcony. Don't waste your money. After Montevideo, it'll be too chilly to be outside for more than a few minutes. I had a mini-suite and I didn't use my balcony until we were close to Santiago. There were days when it was too cold to even sit in the covered pool area: the automatic doors would open and great drafts of cold air would swoop in. Not pleasant.

[Ebonybombshell]

I'm on the Roll Call and such...I have posted this question around 3 times w/no answer.

 

I am flying into BA 2 days early and flying straight to Iguazu Falls...I will stay 2 nights and then fly back that day to get on the Star. No Hotel in BA......the luggage reqs for domestic flights are about 30lbs. Do people have tips or ideas about how to handle my luggage. I have 20 travel days total...30lbs won't cut it.

 

Thanks

[Druke I]

Pam's comments re Buenos Aires are certainly different than ours. We boarded twice there, (Mar 98 late great Royal Princess, and Regal Princess, Mar 06), and both times boarding was quick and efficient.

 

I do agree about the balcony being cold in those climes. We did have one on Regal Princess, but did not use it that much due to temperature and winds.

[Ebonybombshell]

Correct roll call

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=400709&page=9

[ko57]

I would suggest getting to Buenos Aires at least a day early and using Princess transfers to and from the airport/dock. Anything I can do to minimize stress before and after the cruise is a Godsend.

 

I did the Antarctic cruise last year on the Golden. I did have a balcony and was very glad to have it. Yes, it's cold out there and you don't get a lot of use out of it. However, it was wonderful for taking photos, going inside to warm up, yet still being able to see outside and quickly get out for that picture of a breeching whale or penguins on an ice floe. I also enjoyed lying in bed and being able to see outside as the sun was coming up over the ice.

 

I don't know about embarkation from Buenos Aires. I got on in Rio. Disembarkation with Princess transfers was fine, although it was a LONG day to the flight at 10:00pm. They rented a room at the Sheraton where there were tables and chairs set up and you could check your carry-on luggage and coats. As you're heading back to Rio, you probably won't have that kind of delay.

 

It's a wonderful cruise. Pack for both warm and cold weather, and remember you can do laundry on board, which cuts down on what you have to bring. Don't forget gloves and ear coverings. They were invaluable!

[vince_g]

Congrats... very exciting itinerary for a first time cruise. Enjoy!!

[Pam in CA]

Pam's comments re Buenos Aires are certainly different than ours. We boarded twice there, (Mar 98 late great Royal Princess, and Regal Princess, Mar 06), and both times boarding was quick and efficient.

Michael, I don't know what the difference would be except perhaps we were on the Golden which has 2x the number of passengers as the Regal plus there was another ship in port boarding at the same time although it was the Prinsendam, which has only about 750 passengers.

 

I agree with the others in that even if you don't plan to go to Iguasu Falls, arrive at least a day early. It's a very long flight and you'll want to have at least a day to get your energy back. The shopping in Buenos Aires is very nice with some good leather stores.

[tequilasunrise]

Hi all

 

my wife and I will be taking our first cruise ever this January. We'll be on the Star Princess, round trip from Buenos Aires. Since we have never set foot on a ship before, we are hoping to learn something from the experts here. :)

 

For instance: we are thinking about getting an external cabin with no balcony. Would you think the cabins with a balcony are worth the extra money?

 

Personal preference only---and the size of your pocketbook. If you like to relax in private in your cabin, and the money's not a problem spring for the balcony. If you prefer being out around people and plan to sleep and shower in your cabin only save your money.

 

Is there a better deck? A quieter one? We don't mind walking distances if it means we will be on a quiet part of the ship.

 

General rule: quietest cabins are those with other cabins around, below and above them. Quietest areas will be those furthest from public rooms (probably fore or aft). But on this cruise, it's likely going to ROCK (you picked a rough sea itinerary) so if you get seasick balance that with the quiet when choosing fore or aft, which are less stable than mid.

 

How early do we have to be at the port for embarkation? The ship leaves at 5pm, does it mean we have to be there at noon or something?

 

Get to the embarkation port a minimum of the day before, plan to arrive at the dock by 1pm or buy Princess transfers and let them do the worrying is my advice.

 

Any other tips for a first time cruiser? We really appreciate your thoughts, and if anyone else from here is going on this cruise as well we'd be happy to meet you on board.

 

Relax, explore the ship and find areas you enjoy. Don't sweat the small stuff, enjoy the other stuff and you will have a great time!! (oh and btw, if you plan to use meclizine start it 24-48 hours before you board. It works better. Remember it is sedating so be careful with it and alcohol in combination, especially if you are small, elderly or delicate.)

 

Have a great trip. I'm super jealous. This itinerary sounds fantastic!!!!:D

 

thanks!

 

See answers above:D

[RioRabbit]

thank you all very much, we really appreciate your help. We are getting to Buenos Aires one day earlier, even though it is a short flight from here. We are also definately buying the Princess transfer, a lot easier.

 

The Drake Passage does worry me a bit, even though both my wife and I were born and raised by the ocean and are quite used to small boats without getting seasick. I realize this will probably be a different experience, but I am hoping there will be no issues there. Just in case, we will probably try to get a lower deck cabin on the center of the ship.

 

I noticed the ship stops in Rio before going to Buenos Aires. Would it be possible to embark here or would I have to buy the whole itinerary since FLL? If we cannot embark here, would it be possible to go to the ship while it is here and leave our luggage on it? That would make our flight to BA a lot easier.

 

Once again, we really appreciate your thoughts and are looking forward for our first cuise experience.

[Cruisin' Chick]

You would have to talk to Princess (and get it in writing...don't trust the CSR's at the 800 number) about leaving the ship before the last stop. If the only chance for immigration/customs is at the last port, you will not be allowed to officially leave your cruise (and can be fined).

 

As someone else stated, take less clothing than you think you'll need and do some laundry on board.

 

Also, if you're unsure about your sea legs (you didn't say how long your cruise is), make sure you tryout some motion sickness remedies before your cruise and take a couple of different types along.

[beth4652]

I have a couple of kids who tend to get seasick. We've found that ginger tablets and Bonine work the best. Dramamine just doesn't cut it and I've heard too many horror stories about the side effects of Meclizine. jmho

[Cruisin' Chick]

If you're on any medication, talk to your doctor re: a remedy. I took ginger flavored Altoids as well as candied ginger on my last cruise (Hawaii, which involves heavy duty rough seas leaving LA). Worked for me.

[CruisinChris]

I have a couple of kids who tend to get seasick. We've found that ginger tablets and Bonine work the best. Dramamine just doesn't cut it and I've heard too many horror stories about the side effects of Meclizine. jmho

 

Bonine IS mezclizine.

[greatam]

I'm on the Roll Call and such...I have posted this question around 3 times w/no answer.

 

I am flying into BA 2 days early and flying straight to Iguazu Falls...I will stay 2 nights and then fly back that day to get on the Star. No Hotel in BA......the luggage reqs for domestic flights are about 30lbs. Do people have tips or ideas about how to handle my luggage. I have 20 travel days total...30lbs won't cut it.

 

Thanks

 

There was a luggage storage facility at AEP (the domestic airport) in 2005.

 

You can try calling this number at AEP (customer service)

(54 11) 5480 6111

 

There are also a bunch of hotels around the airport-Kempenski, Ricoleta, etc. You may be able to make arrangements with the concierge to leave you luggage for a couple of days.

[mauiedin87]

We barely used our Caribe Deck balcony on our 15-day Hawaii cruise last March because it was so cool and windy. I'm sure the Antarctic will be far colder. I'd save that money. Get an oceanview cabin amidships on one of the lower decks where you would also feel any pitching and rolling in rough seas far less than on the higher decks. (Think physics!). Having been on 12 cruises, this is just my humble opinion.:D

[RioRabbit]

thank you all for your thoughts, it helped us a lot on our decisions. Right now it looks we will get an outside cabin either on the Plaza or the Emerald deck. Any thoughts on which one would be better?

[cruiserbryce]

hopefully everything in BA works out...I hope that someday I can take a cruise to Antarctica...so jealous that you're going on your first cruise there...have a great time

[sle]

thank you all for your thoughts, it helped us a lot on our decisions. Right now it looks we will get an outside cabin either on the Plaza or the Emerald deck. Any thoughts on which one would be better?

 

We are on the Feb 19th cruise on the Star Princess. We are on the Emerald deck in the middle of the ship. Check the deck plans, on the Plaza you may be below the theatre or the casino. On the Emerald deck we picked a cabin that is above the internet cafe which should be quite. The only drawback is that we will have an obstructed view, but that is not a problem for us as long as we can see some light. Hope this will be helpful.